How To Get Started In Aquaponics

How To Get Started In Aquaponics CROPS New Crops If you’re interested in experimenting with aquaponics or ready to set up a commercial operation FarmTek can help you design a system to fit your needs Their systems come in 7 different sizes to produce fish and vegetables for your family or for sale “Most of our customers plan to market fish and produce from their aquaponics systems ” says Matt Denton FarmTek “They often create a small to medium size home system to learn with before upgrading to a commercial size ” The GS Series Aquaponics System I is sized to produce as many as 650 heads of lettuce per year and 75 lbs of fish The 12 by 20-ft system includes fish tanks filters float beds and pump It’s priced at $1 995 Float beds are available in 4 to 50-ft long configurations 8 ft wide They consist of 16-ga sq steel pipe frames 24-mil PolyMax liner and a 1 1/2-in thick float surface Prices start at $549 for a 4 by 8-ft bed if ordered separately Systems are designed for producing lettuce but aren’t limited to that “You can also incorporate peppers or tomatoes but you need leafy greens to take out the excess nitrogen produced by the fish ” Denton recommends tilapia for beginners “They grow fast and tolerate swings in pH temperature and water quality ” One of the strengths FarmTek offers growers is a strong support system That includes information training and reliable sources for tilapia “If people order a system from us we can often send them and a significant other to school for free to learn how to use the system ” says Denton “I often talk to customers every other day for the first week or two as they get set up ” Denton suggests readers interested in an aquaculture system do the research first not only on the relationship between plants and fish but also on the local market for both He also advises looking into energy resources such as solar and geothermal to help reduce costs Contact: FARM SHOW Followup FarmTek 1440 Field of Dreams Way Dyersville Iowa 52040
 ph 563 875-2288 or 800 327-6835; www farmtek com

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